The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The statewide Community Engagement Specialist advances the IRC’s community engagement efforts across Maryland, with a presence and direct support of community engagement efforts in both Silver Spring and Baltimore offices. The specialist builds and strengthens partnerships with civic groups, faith communities, schools, and local organizations to expand welcoming pathways humanitarian immigrants. This role supports the volunteer and intern cycles and assists with in-kind donations to ensure clients across the state have access to resources and community support. The specialist plays a key role in helping newcomers adjust to life in the U.S. while fostering awareness and collaboration among Maryland’s communities.
Major Responsibilities
Volunteer Engagement (≈60%)
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and management of volunteers, interns, and family mentors across Maryland, ensuring compliance with background checks and documentation requirements.
• Maintain and update resources to guide volunteers, interns, and mentors through all stages of their engagement.
• Facilitate a professional internship program, ensuring that interns are effectively integrated, supported, and contributing to IRC’s mission across Maryland.
• Help sustain a professional, inclusive, and mission-aligned volunteer program that reflects the needs of both offices and humanitarian immigrant families across Maryland. Serve as the primary point of contact for all incoming volunteers and lead regular volunteer informational sessions.
• Provide ongoing support to family mentor pairs statewide, including facilitating feedback loops through surveys and check-ins.
• Assist with statewide engagement initiatives, special projects, administrative tasks and other duties as assigned.
Partner Outreach & Engagement (≈30%)
• Build and strengthen partnerships with civic groups, faith communities, schools, and local organizations to expand support for humanitarian immigrant families in Maryland.
• Represent IRC at community events, presentations, and speaking engagements to raise awareness and mobilize resources.
• Collaborate with businesses, community groups, and partner organizations to generate resources, plan initiatives, and co-host events.
• Connect IRC programs and community partners to meet shared goals.
In-Kind Donation Coordination – Silver Spring (≈10%)
• Support the Community Engagement Coordinator with the solicitation, organization, and distribution of in-kind donations for clients served in Silver Spring.
• Maintain systems for donation collection, storage, and tracking.
• Act as a local point of contact for individuals and groups interested in organizing donation drives.
Job Requirements
Education
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
Work Experience
• At least one year of experience working with volunteers and experience with resettlement or immigrant populations strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting training sessions preferred.
• Demonstrated ability and interest to cultivate partnerships with community organizations to meet mutual goals.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies
• Strong relationship-building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success engaging community partners to build support for an organization or group in need
• Excellent communication in multi-cultural contexts
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Fluent in English required, both spoken and written. Proficiency in language(s) spoken by humanitarian immigrant families strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
Working Environment
• A combination of standard office environment, and “field” time across Maryland, with 2 days onsite in both the Baltimore and Silver Spring offices (total 4 days onsite). May require occasional travel across the region, occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Compensation: (Pay Range: $29.10 - $29.10) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
